Fury was going over a case file until he heard a knock on the door. He let her in; he was waiting for her.
"You wanted to speak with me, Sir?" Natasha said, entering the room.
"I wanted to congratulate you on your third solo successful mission." Fury told her as soon as she entered the room.
Natasha frowned. "And what else?"
He looked at her, standing in front of him, with the arms behind her back. "And remind you that you are free to take some time out."
"I do not need any time out." She spoke a bit infuriated. "I'm alright… Anything else, Sir?"
"No," He waved his hand, dismissing her.
When Natasha grabbed the doorknob and was ready to leave, Fury spoke. "I have one question, though." He got up and walked around the room. "I was expecting you to leave after what happened. Why did you stay? Still owe him a debt?"
She didn't turn to face him and answered. "There was a moment when he made me realize that we owed debts to one another and that we settled them along the years… I have no debts to pay… to anyone."
"Still haven't answered my question;" The director raised his look at Natasha who was standing by the door. "why did you stay?"
"He risked his career for me," She faced him. "we both know it. He gave me a new life. He believed in me when everybody else didn't, even you, Sir."
"I admit my faults, but I think you can understand my doubts back in that time."
"Clint was everything I could ever ask for as a partner, as a friend,…"
"As a lover…" Fury spoke almost inaudibly, laying his eyes on the papers on his desk.
Natasha shook her head lightly and looked away. "He brought me in long ago, and I choose to stay now because I believe I found the right place to make my stand and leave my mark."
Fury nodded his head and didn't speak anything else. She walked out the room, letting the door close behind her.
The bourbon bottle was half empty by now. Natasha drank another cup and then exhaled deeply. She was sat on the floor, leaned back against the couch. She groped the small coffee table and pressed her finger on one of the buttons of the answering machine.
Hey, Tasha, it's me. Wanna come over and have a few drinks with me? I've got that sweet bourbon you really like and that makes you laugh a lot. Clint laughed with the thought. I miss you. I really miss your touch and your kisses… your scent, your voice. I miss everything about you… I think we won't even need the drinks… Just come over, babe, I miss you like hell.
And Natasha pressed the button again. And again. And once more. And one last time. Just then she fell asleep.
It's a progress. Four months ago she'd have replayed that message ten times before falling asleep. Now, it only took her five times. She was waiting for the day when she can quit replaying that voice message. But she knows she'd never be able to accomplish such thing. One day or another, when times are rougher, she'd just press the button and listen to his voice.
Kind of small-ish... but I liked it. Did you liked it?
